AFJ Reports on Packing of the Fifth Circuit

This week, Alliance for Justice put out a report on efforts by movement conservatives to turn the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, historically a stalwart of fairness and independence into an extension of right-wing authority and ideology.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit was once at the vanguard of protecting the rights of ordinary Americans. Courageous judges, both Republican and Democratic appointees, on the court issued opinions enforcing civil rights protections at great personal risk. They were not driven by personal biases but by an unflinching belief in justice. Ultraconservatives, however, waged an unrelenting courtpacking campaign, and now this court is a bastion of conservative activism.

The report contains information regarding some of President Bush's most controversial appointments including Priscilla Owen and Leslie Southwick as well as his latest nominee, Catherina Haynes, who despite staunch opposition received a special recess hearing today in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

To see AFJ's entire report, click here. If you would like to learn more about all of Bush's judicial nominees, check out our website at http://www.afj.org/check-the-facts/nominees/.